🥩 Beef Stew (Carne Guisada)
🧂 Ingredients
700–900 g beef (chuck or stewing beef), cut into cubes
2 tbsp oil (vegetable or olive)
1 large onion, chopped
3–4 cloves garlic, minced
2 medium tomatoes (or 2 tbsp tomato paste)
1 green bell pepper, chopped (optional but traditional in many versions)
2 medium potatoes, cubed
1 carrot, sliced (optional)
1–1½ tsp salt (to taste)
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp paprika
½ tsp chili powder (optional for heat)
1 bay leaf (optional)
2–3 cups beef broth or water
Fresh parsley or cilantro for garnish
🍳 Instructions
Brown the beef
Heat oil in a pot over medium-high heat. Add beef cubes and brown them well on all sides. This builds flavor.
Cook the aromatics
Add onion and cook until soft. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.
Add spices & tomato
Mix in cumin, paprika, pepper, salt, and chili powder. Add tomatoes or tomato paste and cook until it forms a thick sauce.
Simmer the stew
Pour in beef broth or water. Add bay leaf. Cover and simmer on low heat for about 1.5 to 2 hours, until beef becomes tender.
Add vegetables
Add potatoes (and carrots if using). Cook another 25–30 minutes until everything is soft and the sauce thickens.
Finish & serve
Taste and adjust seasoning. Garnish with parsley or cilantro.
🍽️ Serving ideas
With rice
With warm bread
Or even over couscous (very popular in Morocco-style versions)
